Mietwagenrundreise "Naturparadies Auvergne"

About the destination: Historically renowned for its silk exchange and medieval fairs, Lyon is France’s second largest city and one of Europe’s finest gastronomic capitals. The heart of Lyon lies on a spit of land between the Rivers Rhône and Saône, and is split by the city’s artery, rue Victor Hugo. Part-Dieu, on the east bank of the Rhône, is the city’s financial district. The vieille ville, on the west bank, is a neighbourhood of 17th and 18th century houses and cobblestone lanes. Best seen from across the Saône, the Cathedrale St-Jean rises amid red tiles and grey stone, oblivious to the passing barges. It’s noted for its strongly articulated nave and flamboyant rose windows. From the Fourvière esplanade you can gaze down onto the urban sprawl. There is a large selection of museums with spectacular collections in Lyon, exhibiting everything from fabrics and banking to Gallo Roman life and local history. In Lyon, people don’t eat, they dine. You cannot leave without indulging yourself with the great cuisine lyonnaise. Of course whatever you eat, wash it down with a local Beaujolais or a white burgundy from the neighbouring Mâcon villages.

About the destination: Saint-Étienne is a city in eastern central France. It is located in the Massif Central, southwest of Lyon in the Rhône-Alpes region, along the trunk road that connects Toulouse with Lyon. Saint-Étienne is the capital of the Loire département. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Museum of Modern Art, • Museum Art & Industry. • Museum the Mine. • Museum of old Saint-Etienne. • Les Ateliers et le Conservatoire des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France. • Museum Urban Transport. • L'Astronef.

About the destination: Le Puy en Velay is in Haute-Loire in the Auvergne. Le Puy en Velay, in the heart of the Massif Central is surrounded by high hills and the famous conical volcano forms of the region, this town sits in a very impressive position. Le Puy is famous for being the start point of one of the main pilgrimage paths in France that lead to Santiago de Compostela.The cobblestone streets of the historical centre of town are filled with shops and restaurants. You can get a great walking tour of the city at the Tourist Office. Le Puy is famous for lace making, and that is clear from the displays in many shop windows. The architecture spans all the way back to the 11th century.Le Puy en Velay is spectacular and little-known. A worthwhile detour from the beaten path.

About the destination: Clermont-Ferrand is a city and commune of France, in the Auvergne region. As one of the oldest cities in France, Clermont-Ferrand has a long history that has left a mark on its contemporary image. The city is also famous for the chain of volcanoes, the Chaîne des Puys surrounding it. The famous dormant volcano Puy de Dôme (10 km from the city) is one of the highest of these. Clermont-Ferrand is also famous for hosting the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, one of the world's leading international festivals for short films. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Basilica of Notre-Dame du Port A religious monument to visit in Clermont-Ferrand is the 12th century roman style basilica Notre-Dame-du-Port, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The basilica is located off the Rue du Port and is one of the most impressive of the roman style churches in the Auvergne region. Take a look at the fantastic mosaic details on the semi-circular chapels and inside it is nice and light and airy. Hotel of Chazerat The Hotel of Chazerat, with its curved-shape, is built in 18th century neo-classic style. It is now the Regional Office for Cultural Affairs and you can arrange a visit through the tourist office. Its lobby is painted in trompe-l'oeil and its main salon has lovely white and gold plasterwork. Michelin’s Museum Fantastic modern museum in Clermont-Ferrand, the Adventure Michelin museum showcases the history of the Michelin Group since 1889. The museum houses a wealth of objects from the Michelin Heritage collection, in addition to showcasing engaging multimedia screenings and 3D animations that illustrate the history of the group and family. A history that dates back over 120 years, André and Edouard Michelin created countless innovations, from bicycle, airplane and train designs to automobile enhancements to other architectural achievements.

About the destination: Vichy is a city in the Allier department in Auvergne in central France. It belongs to the historic province of Bourbonnais. It is known as a spa and resort town and was the seat of government and de facto capital of Vichy France during the World War IINazi German occupation from 1940 to 1944. There are some sights of interest in Vichy, it´s very popular among those seeking the healing powers of the local water. Much of the town dates from the 19th and 20th centuries,in part due to the development of the spa waters industry since that time. There are several different natural water sources in the town. The houses along the Boulevard des Etats-Unis, dating from the epoch when the town started to develop under Napoleon. The Parc Napoleon III was also part of this new development.

About the destination: Until the French Revolution, Riom was the capital of the province of Auvergne, and the seat of the dukes of Auvergne. The city was of Gaulish origin, the Roman Ricomagus. In the intensely feudalized Auvergne of the 10th century, the town grew up around the collegiate Church of Saint Amabilis (Saint Amable), the local saint, who was the object of pilgrimages. Riom was the capital of the dukes of Auvergne. In the 14th century the city benefitted from the patronage of Jean, duc de Berry, who rebuilt the Ducal Palace and the Saint-Chapelle. In 1531, Riom and Auvergne reverted to the Crown of France. In 1942, Riom was the site of the Vichy government's abortive war-guilt trials, called Riom Trials.

About the destination: Clermont-Ferrand is a city and commune of France, in the Auvergne region. As one of the oldest cities in France, Clermont-Ferrand has a long history that has left a mark on its contemporary image. The city is also famous for the chain of volcanoes, the Chaîne des Puys surrounding it. The famous dormant volcano Puy de Dôme (10 km from the city) is one of the highest of these. Clermont-Ferrand is also famous for hosting the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, one of the world's leading international festivals for short films. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Basilica of Notre-Dame du Port A religious monument to visit in Clermont-Ferrand is the 12th century roman style basilica Notre-Dame-du-Port, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The basilica is located off the Rue du Port and is one of the most impressive of the roman style churches in the Auvergne region. Take a look at the fantastic mosaic details on the semi-circular chapels and inside it is nice and light and airy. Hotel of Chazerat The Hotel of Chazerat, with its curved-shape, is built in 18th century neo-classic style. It is now the Regional Office for Cultural Affairs and you can arrange a visit through the tourist office. Its lobby is painted in trompe-l'oeil and its main salon has lovely white and gold plasterwork. Michelin’s Museum Fantastic modern museum in Clermont-Ferrand, the Adventure Michelin museum showcases the history of the Michelin Group since 1889. The museum houses a wealth of objects from the Michelin Heritage collection, in addition to showcasing engaging multimedia screenings and 3D animations that illustrate the history of the group and family. A history that dates back over 120 years, André and Edouard Michelin created countless innovations, from bicycle, airplane and train designs to automobile enhancements to other architectural achievements.

About the destination: Mauriac is a commune in the Cantal department in the Auvergne region in south-central France. It lies 39 miles (63 km) north-northwest of Aurillac by rail. Mauriac, built on the slope of a volcanic hill, has a medieval church, and the buildings of an old abbey now used as public offices and dwellings; the town owes its origin to the abbey, which originated from a 6th-century foundation.

About the destination: Aurillac is a French commune, capital of the Cantal department. Aurillac is a pleasant place to pass some time and soak up the atmosphere. It has several churches and buildings of interest, and a river runs through it. It is an important regional centre and a bustling town with numerous shops and boutiques to explore. The buildings are tall, imposing and in the local grey stone.

About the destination: Rocamadour is a commune in the Lot department in south-western France. It lies in the former provinceof Quercy. Rocamadour has attracted visitors for its setting in a gorge above a tributary of the River Dordogne, and especially for its historical monuments and its sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which for centuries has attracted pilgrims from every country, among them kings, bishops, and nobles.

About the destination: Aurillac is a French commune, capital of the Cantal department. Aurillac is a pleasant place to pass some time and soak up the atmosphere. It has several churches and buildings of interest, and a river runs through it. It is an important regional centre and a bustling town with numerous shops and boutiques to explore. The buildings are tall, imposing and in the local grey stone.